URSB tells couples to register marriages
A groom serves his bride a cake during their traditional marriage ceremony in Agwok in Nebbi District. URSB says such marriages should be registered. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO
West Nile- Couples that wedded and have not registered their marriages have been requested to do so with the concerned authorities.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is encouraging all marriages to be registered arguing that certificates issued by churches, mosques or any traditional institution have no evidential value until the respective marriage is properly filed with the Registrar of Marriages.
During a sensitisation meeting in Arua District over the weekend, the URSB Senior Registration Officer, Ms Miriam Nabatanzi, said: “We rely on chief administrative officers to have marriages in the various religious institutions registered, but we have not been receiving the data.
This registration helps in issues of court cases with presentation of documents as evidence,” she said.
She added: “We have not received cases of civil marriages that have been registered in Arua. If marriages are registered, we would also eliminate cases of illegal weddings and ensure that peace and harmony prevails in families.”
Government planning
Ms Nabatanzi also said once marriages are registered, it enables government plan well for the population.
However,the Resident District Commissioner for Maracha, Mr John Abingwa, said issues of registration of marriage remains controversial since it is a contract between man and woman.
